Get 8/1 on England v Italy Odds as free bets offer attracts punters
Its the day we’ve been waiting for, with England taking on Italy as we bering you the latest betting news and Paddy Power free bets on the huge game tonight (KO 23:00).
England kick start their 2014 World Cup campaign off against the tournament dark horses Italy in the “jungle” of Manaus.
Its certainly set to be an epic encounter as Paddy Power announce they have enhanced the odds on England to win to 8/1, while Italy can be backed at a massive price of 6/1!
Match Facts
England reached the World Cup, topping a relatively favourable group, conceding just four goals in 10 games. Roy Hodgson has opted to pick a young squad, with Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley called up instead of Ashley Cole and Michael Carrick.
A 3-0 win over Peru was followed up by disappointing draws with the likes of Ecuador and Honduras.
Italy qualified for Brazil relatively comfortably, beating Denmark to top spot with a two games to go.
Giuseppe Rossi’s exclusion from the Italian squad was the big talking point, with Ciro Immobile and Antonio Cassano preferred.
Cesare Prandelli’s men haven’t enjoyed the best of warm-up results, drawing with Luxembourg and Ireland, before putting five past Brazilian side Fluminense.
Italy have won six of the last 11 meetings between the two, as well as edging England out on penalties at Euro 2012.
World Cup best: England winners (1966); Italy four times winner (Most recently 2006)
2010 World Cup: England last 16; Italy Group Stage
Squads in full
England
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Fraser Forster
Defenders: Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw
Midfielders: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Ross Barkley
Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Rickie Lambert
Italy
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon, Salvatore Sirigu, Mattia Perin
Defenders: Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorigo Chiellini, Gabriel Paletta (Parma), Ignazio Abate, Mattia De Sciglio, Matteo Darmian
Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti, Daniele De Rossi, Antonio Candreva, Marco Parolo, Alberto Aquilani
Forwards: Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano, Alessio Cerci, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne
Team news
Danny Welbeck is a doubt for England’s opener, which will see one of Raheem Sterling and James Milner come in.
The English back five picks itself, although there have been doubts over the form of Glen Johnson in recent weeks.
Jordan Henderson looks set to start ahead of Jack Wilshere alongside captain Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield.
Immobile’s hat-trick in the recent friendly win will almost certainly see him partner Mario Balotelli up front.
Prandelli’s biggest call is who of the three Juventus defenders to leave out and it looks set to be Andrea Barzagli.
Antonio Candreva looks set for a attacking midfield role behind the two forwards, with Andrea Pirlo in a holding position.
England (4-2-3-1): Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Milner, Rooney, Lallana, Sturridge
Italy (4-3-1-2): Buffon, Abate, Chiellini, Bonucci, De Sciligo, De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio, Candreva, Immobile, Balotelli
